France manager Didier Deschamps has emphasised the importance of ignoring external noise regarding his team’s tournament status as they prepare for a high-stakes FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 encounter against Sweden.
The French side enters the knockout stage with a perfect group-stage record, securing 9 points for the first time since their victorious 1998 campaign.
Led by skipper Kylian Mbappe and 2025 Ballon d’Or recipient Ousmane Dembele, the two-time champions are favourites to win a third title.
Despite the growing excitement, Deschamps remains grounded after their unbeaten start.
“Even before the tournament, we were among the favourites. Based on how we have played in our three matches [three wins], I do not think that opinion has changed. Our goal is to stay confident. Now, we are going into a new phase. Even though we have never taken nine points from the group stage, it does not give us any extra advantage,” Deschamps said.
Midfielder Adrien Rabiot admitted that the voice around the French team can be distracting but added that the team is good enough to challenge for the FIFA World Cup title.
“As that Switzerland game showed, you’ve got to stay alert. That is why I have said we take every match extremely seriously and should not let up. I am not saying that was necessarily the case against Switzerland, but there may have been moments of complacency during that match, and ultimately we paid the price,” Rabiot said.
France have dominated the knockout stages under Deschamps
The upcoming fixture marks France’s 19th knockout game under Deschamps since 2012, a record unmatched by any European nation in that timeframe. Reflecting on his extensive tenure, which includes winning the 2018 World Cup and reaching the 2022 final, the 57-year-old coach insists his players must embrace the ruthless nature of knock-out football without fear.
“It is part of the game, and the players compete to win and know that there are no second chances. With their clubs, there are qualification phases where you still have a safety net. Here, there is not one. It can require a different approach, but this is what we came for, and now we are here. The next step is to go out and win,” he concluded.
(With ANI inputs)
